- First, if you're planning on driving, take your rig down to a reputable mechanic, (not a Firestone), and tell them that you're taking a roadie and to perform a Preventive Maintenance bumper-to-bumper check-up. There are few things worse than being on the road and having a broken-down rig and being at the mercy of some strange mechanic's repair bill.
-before you head out, contact some of the reputable providers from whatever particular area you're planning on visiting and asking them for some local advice. ie. hotspots to avoid, trouble areas, etceteros. Recommend that you send these out well ahead of time so that you can plan and adjust accordingly.
-Screen, screen, screen. Take no shortcuts and don't let the sounds of $ from what seems like "an easy easy appointment" sway your decision to deviate.
I'd love to have the opportunity to argue with you, but presently, I don't have anything worth arguing with you about. Can I take a rain-check since I offered you some really good advice? LuLz!